Israel's north Gaza siege enters 12th day amid US 'warning' on humanitarian situation

Israel's siege of Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp continued into its twelfth day on Tuesday, amid warnings from the United States that it could limit military aid to Tel Aviv if the humanitarian situation is not improved.

The renewed offensive on Jabalia and other parts of northern Gaza comes as Israel attempts to forcibly displace around 400,000 Palestinians from the area.

Israeli forces have targeted civilians attempting to flee, according to locals and international aid workers.

"The siege of Jabalia camp and northern Gaza continues for the twelfth consecutive day, in light of the Israeli occupation forces' targeting of everything moving in northern Gaza, and the arrival of dozens of injuries to Al-Awda Hospital and hospitals operating in northern Gaza, medical staff deal with complex injuries in light of the acute shortage of medicines, medical supplies and fuel, in addition to the lack of food for patients and medical staff in the hospital, and if the siege on Jabalia camp continues, we will be facing a real disaster," said Mohammed Salha, the acting director of the Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia.

"We appeal to the World Health Organization, United Nations agencies and all partners to expedite the entry of medicines, medical supplies and fuel to Al-Awda Hospital, and to make the necessary coordination to bring food to patients and medical staff."

Gaza's government media office also urged the creation of a safe passage for supplying north Gaza with essentials, including food, medicine, medical supplies and baby milk.

The US has told Israel it must take steps in the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on military aid, according to US officials, in what appears to be Washington's strongest warning to Israel since it began its latest war on Gaza last year.

The Hebrew-language Walla website quoted two unnamed senior Israeli officials on Wednesday as saying that "Israel made it clear to the United States yesterday that it will move quickly to respond to American demands to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip". 

Gaza's health ministry on Wednesday reported the killing of 65 people by Israeli forces in the last 24 hours, with 140 wounded people arriving at hospitals. 

Israeli forces have killed 42,409 people and wounded 99,153 since October 2023, with many dead and injured still trapped under the rubble, the ministry said.